I posted this same image here this past weekend I received a very helpful critique, which included, "steep angle, the left eye in shadow, fix the brightest patch on the perch (below the wing) by carefully "borrowing" some neighbouring pixels and cloning them in."
I cropped the image differently this time and lightened the shadow around the eye and also patched out the hot spot on the branch.
I know it still is not perfect but I am happier with it after attending to some of the nits pointed out by others. I just hope I get another chance at this rare (for my area) species.
Again, I would love to hear more suggestions as to how to improve it.
Good improvements, I would sharpen the bird a bit more and desaturate the sky a few points.
01-19-2009, 10:38 PM
Jeff Nadler
Paul,
This is a worthy and definite improvement! Having both eyes nicely visible, the better presented perch, and the presented crop help overcome the angle. Nicely done to give you a great memory of this special visitor.
01-19-2009, 10:45 PM
Daniel Cadieux
Paul, what a difference! Good job :-)
A couple of minor improvements still to go: On the newly fixed eye I would darken the pupil to be as black as the lit eye, and I would pull back the asturation on the blue sky.
Great work on the perch and the improved composition is, well, quite improved.
01-19-2009, 10:58 PM
Mark Schmitt
Most commendable. Agree with all that has been suggested. The blue in the sky could use some colour correction; needs to be moved more to the "cyane" values. Great improvements
